The debate inside the Scottish Conservative party seems to be moving forward apace.
Holyrood Enterprise spokesman Murdo Fraser has called for Scottish Tories to break away from the UK Party.
Murdo Fraser believes the creation of a “separate party, separately funded, with separate responsibility for policy” is one way of changing the perception that his colleagues belong to a branch of an English-based organisation.
The idea was immediately dismissed by Scottish leader David McLetchie and front-bencher Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, who said it was against the principles of the party.
But in another twist, Francis Maude, the newly installed Conservative chairman and key party moderniser, backed Fraser and insisted that his plan ought to be “considered”. (Sunday Herald)
For more on the intriguing developments in the Scottish Conservative Party, see also:
Split Decision (Sunday Herald 22/05/05)
McLetchie’s Party should make the break now (22/05/05)
Forysth attacks Tory Disasters (Scotland on Sunday 22/05/05)
A Grey Area for Tories (Sunday Times 22/05/05)
Tory MSP in Party Breakaway Call (BBC 22/05/05)
More links to previous developments in the Scotland section of the Green Ribbon
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